llms.txt

# winapp CLI

> CLI for generating and managing appxmanifest.xml, image assets, certificates, Windows SDK projections, package identity, and MSIX packaging for any app framework targeting Windows.

winapp helps developers add Windows-specific features (MSIX packaging, push notifications, native APIs) to apps built with any framework—Electron, Tauri, .NET, C++, Rust, or others. It handles the complexity of Windows app identity, code signing, and SDK integration.

## AI Coding Agents

- **GitHub Copilot CLI:** `copilot plugin install microsoft/WinAppCli`
- **Claude Code:** `claude plugin marketplace add microsoft/WinAppCli` then `claude plugin install winappcli@winappcli`

### Plugin Structure

A single shared plugin at `plugins/winapp/` serves both GitHub Copilot and Claude Code. It includes:

- **Agent:** [winapp.agent.md](https://github.com/microsoft/WinAppCli/blob/main/plugins/winapp/com.github.copilot/agents/winapp.agent.md) — full system prompt with command reference, decision trees, framework-specific guidance, error diagnosis, and critical rules
- **Skills** (auto-generated, in `plugins/winapp/skills/`):
  - `winapp-setup/SKILL.md` — project init, restore, update
  - `winapp-package/SKILL.md` — MSIX packaging
  - `winapp-identity/SKILL.md` — debug identity and sparse packages
  - `winapp-signing/SKILL.md` — certificates and code signing
  - `winapp-manifest/SKILL.md` — appxmanifest.xml generation
  - `winapp-troubleshoot/SKILL.md` — error diagnosis and SDK tools
  - `winapp-frameworks/SKILL.md` — Electron, .NET, C++, Rust, Flutter, Tauri guidance
  - `winapp-ui-automation/SKILL.md` — inspect, interact with, and screenshot running Windows app UIs

## Docs

- CLI Schema: Run `winapp --cli-schema` to get the installed version's machine-readable JSON command and option definitions.
- [WinUI Sample Index Schema](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/microsoft/WinAppCli/main/docs/winui-sample-index.schema.json): Machine-readable contract a WinUI sample gallery publishes so `winapp find-ui` can index it without scraping the repository layout
- [Usage Guide](https://github.com/microsoft/WinAppCli/blob/main/docs/usage.md): Full documentation for humans
- [Debugging Guide](https://github.com/microsoft/WinAppCli/blob/main/docs/debugging.md): `winapp run` vs `create-debug-identity`, IDE setup, and debugging workflows
- [Security Guidance](https://github.com/microsoft/WinAppCli/blob/main/docs/security.md): What development certificates and Developer Mode change on a machine, safe handling of `devcert.pfx`, and production signing options

## Guides

- [Electron Setup](https://github.com/microsoft/WinAppCli/blob/main/docs/guides/electron/setup.md): Setting up Electron apps with Windows features
- [Electron Packaging](https://github.com/microsoft/WinAppCli/blob/main/docs/guides/electron/packaging.md): Creating MSIX packages for Electron apps
- [C++ Guide](https://github.com/microsoft/WinAppCli/blob/main/docs/guides/cpp.md): Native C++ apps with Windows SDK
- [.NET Guide](https://github.com/microsoft/WinAppCli/blob/main/docs/guides/dotnet.md): .NET apps with winapp
- [.NET File-Based Apps Guide](https://github.com/microsoft/WinAppCli/blob/main/docs/guides/dotnet-file-based.md): Single-file .NET apps with package identity
- [Flutter Guide](https://github.com/microsoft/WinAppCli/blob/main/docs/guides/flutter.md): Flutter apps with package identity and MSIX
- [Rust Guide](https://github.com/microsoft/WinAppCli/blob/main/docs/guides/rust.md): Rust apps with Windows features
- [Tauri Guide](https://github.com/microsoft/WinAppCli/blob/main/docs/guides/tauri.md): Tauri apps with MSIX packaging

## Optional

- [AGENTS.md](https://github.com/microsoft/WinAppCli/blob/main/AGENTS.md): For AI assistants working on the winapp repo itself